Trades aplenty in full 7-round Carolina Panthers 2022 NFL mock draft
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers pick No. 156
James Empey – C (BYU)
Matt Paradis is out of contract this spring and it would be a big shock if the Carolina Panthers brought him back considering his injury status and performance level. Even though he’s still counting north of $9 million in the salary cap due to a contract restructure.
There remain some concerns about Pat Elflein’s reliability should the Panthers decide to move forward with the former Ohio State star as their center in 2022. However, selecting talent from the college ranks should be another option the team considers at some stage.
James Empey is another BYU lineman entering the next level with a fierce reputation. Carolina obviously went to the program in 2021 when they traded up for Brady Christensen, who is clearly being mismanaged by a coaching staff that refuses to give him an extended look at his preferred position.
Empey is a solid anchor and communicator at the line of scrimmage. His recovery skills need work, but if Elflein gets a reprieve there wouldn’t be immediate pressure to start.
The Panthers are probably looking for three or four players on their offensive line this offseason. Considering high-quality free agents are seldom available and certainly not cheap, building through the draft is a necessity, and Empey could be a diamond in the rough.